STANLEY, Idaho – The Sawtooth National Forest recently completed the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Cecil D. Andrus-White Clouds and Hemingway-Boulders Wilderness Management Plan. The Cecil D. Andrus-White Clouds Wilderness and Hemingway-Boulders Wilderness were designated through the passage of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area and Jerry Peak Wilderness Additions Act (P.L. 114-46) in August 2015. The project will establish, update, and provide consistent management direction for the Cecil D. Andrus-White Clouds and Hemingway-Boulders Wilderness, situated on federal public land managed by the Forest Service.

For the Cecil D. Andrus-White Clouds and Hemingway-Boulders Wilderness Management Plan, a scoping period took place where the agencies identified important issues and incorporated feedback into a draft EA. Interested parties were given the opportunity to submit written comments, which were reviewed, and now a final EA is available.

During the objection period, which is specific to Forest Service regulations, parties who have previously submitted specific written comments regarding the proposed project either during scoping or other designated opportunity for public comment in accordance with 36 CFR 218.5(a) and 219.16 have standing to object. Issues raised in objections must be based on previously submitted, timely, and specific written comments regarding the proposed project unless based on new information arising after designated opportunities. The objection period for the Cecil D. Andrus-White Clouds and Hemingway-Boulders Wilderness will begin May 9, 2018.

The wilderness plan, EA, draft Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact (DN/FONSI), legal notice of opportunity to object, and other information are available for review at the Sawtooth National Forest Supervisor’s Office and at the Forest’s web site at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=49647 .

A hard copy of the wilderness plan, EA, and the draft DN/FONSI, can be obtained from: Sawtooth National Forest Supervisor’s Office, 370 American Avenue, Jerome, ID 83338, or comments-intermtn-sawtooth-nra-@fs.fed.us.